Review: 2025 Frescobaldi Tuscan White and Rose
When one thinks of Tuscan wines, one usually imagines Italy’s most renowned reds, including Chianti, Brunello di Montalicino, and Super Tuscans. This makes sense since 86% of the region’s wine production is dedicated to red wines. But that leaves 14% unaccounted for, and the region produces some very nice whites and rosés, which we’ll be…
Review: Wheel Horse Rum Barrel Double Mash Whiskey
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau recognizes 53 classification codes across the full range of American whiskey. Most drinkers are acquainted with broad categories such as bourbon, but the TTB divides bourbon into several more specific classifications: blended bourbon whisky, straight bourbon whisky, bottled in bond bourbon whisky, straight bourbon whisky, and bourbon…
Review: Shock Top High Voltage
It’s been a decade since we last reviewed a Shock Top beer, a ten-year stretch that has seen the wheat beer specialist undergo a full rebrand/redesign — and now the launch of a wildly high abv bruiser to join the brewery’s collection. At 9.6% abv, it’s the booziest Shock Top release ever made, essentially the…
Texas Wine Country Visits 2026 – Ron Yates, Ab Astris, and Rebecca Caroline
The wine country in Texas Hill Country, situated in and around the town of Fredericksburg, is booming. Every time I travel here I’m greeted by a new tasting room, fresh vineyards, and more revelers looking to enjoy the state’s rapidly growing (and improving) wine scene. A recent Saturday took us to three wineries in the…
Review: The Whisky Exchange Zodiac Series 1 – Pisces, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini
Spirits merchant The Whisky Exchange is following up its Seasons Series with a new set of releases, this time linked to the 12 signs of the Zodiac. The releases will drop in three sets of four — all single casks of single malt Scotches sourced by The Whisky Exchange — each honoring the star signs of…
Review: Kooper Family Barrel Reserve Rye (2026)
Every barrel of whiskey has a story. The opening chapter is written at the distillery, where grain selection, fermentation, and distillation establish the spirit’s foundation. But a whiskey’s story doesn’t stop once it enters a barrel. In many respects, that is where the next chapter begins. The question is whether that next chapter can ultimately…
Review: Two Souls x J. Henry and Sons The Hero Rum Cask Bourbon and The Genius Rum Cask Rye
Two Souls Spirits is an independent bottler best known for its focus on American whiskey, though the company has also released single-cask rum and honey spirit selections. Over the years, Two Souls has partnered with numerous American distilleries to produce transparent single-cask releases. Yet time and again, the bottler has returned to whiskey distilled by…
Review: Rolling Fork Rewco Barrel Strength Rye 6 Years Old
Few names from American whiskey history deserve more attention than R.E. Wathen. While many legendary brands survived Prohibition, the people responsible for preserving them are often overlooked. Richard E. Wathen was one of those figures. Beginning in November 1927, Wathen served as president of the American Medicinal Spirits Company, assuming the position shortly after the…